[11/12/08 - 08:19 AM]CBS's Very Merry Yuletide Programming CBS celebrates the holiday season with a parade, Grammy Award-winning performers, the annual Christmastime visits of RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER and FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, and THE 31ST ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

[via press release from CBS]

CBS'S VERY MERRY YULETIDE PROGRAMMING

"The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS" Kicks Off the Network's Holiday Season Special Events

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" Make Their Annual Visits

Performances By Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and Taylor Swift Highlight "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!!-Countdown to the Grammys" When Nominations in Several Grammy Categories Will be Announced

Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen Star in the Hit Theatrical "Elf"

CBS celebrates the holiday season with a parade, Grammy Award-winning performers, the annual Christmastime visits of RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER and FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, and THE 31ST ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

CBS's yuletide season programming commences with THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS (Nov. 27), hosted by THE EARLY SHOW's Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez.

Grammy Award-winning stars highlight CBS's music laden special events which include THE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE!!!-COUNTDOWN TO THE GRAMMYS (Dec. 3), THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW (Dec. 3) and THE 10TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAITH HILL (Dec. 23).

CBS holiday stalwarts RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER will be broadcast Dec. 3 while FROSTY THE SNOWMAN and FROSTY RETURNS are slated for Dec. 12.

Also on tap this holiday season is THE 31ST ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS (Dec. 30) and the hit theatrical "Elf," starring Will Ferrell (Dec. 20).

CBS's Holiday Programming

Thursday, Nov. 27
(9:00 AM-Noon, Live ET
8:00-11:00AM, live CT
7:00-10:00 AM, live MT
1:00-4:00 PM, delayed PT)
THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON CBS--Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez of CBS News' "The Early Show" host this CBS Thanksgiving tradition which features the 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live from New York. Also featured are performances by country music duo Sugarland and the Broadway casts of "Mary Poppins" and "Grease." Guests include Clay Aiken and CBS Daytime drama stars Jessica Leccia ("Guiding Light") and Julie Pinson ("As the World Turns").

Wednesday, Dec. 3 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER-The longest
running holiday special in television history celebrates its 44th anniversary in this digitally re-mastered version. Since 1964, millions of families have watched Rudolph and his friends, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys, save Christmas. The classic "Animagic" special features a world-renowned musical score from Johnny Marks and the voice of legendary performer Burl Ives.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) THE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS CONCERT LIVE!!!-
COUNTDOWN TO MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT-This prelude to the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2009 will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. This one-hour special will include the announcements of nominations in six categories and feature performances by past Grammy winners and nominees. The event will also celebrate the grand opening of The Grammy Museum. Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King, John Mayer and Taylor Swift are among those scheduled to perform.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW-Super-
model Heidi Klum, along with top models Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doetzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr and a bevy of other Victoria's Secret Angels, star in this holiday-infused lingerie runway show, which will also include musical performances by Grammy Award-winning star Usher, red carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the world's most celebrated fashion show.

Friday, Dec. 12 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) FROSTY THE SNOWMAN-Frosty, that "jolly, happy
soul" whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Narrated by Jimmy Durante, the special also includes the voices of Jackie Vernon (as Frosty) and Billy De Wolfe (Professor Hinkle).

Friday, Dec. 12 (8:30-9:00 PM, ET/PT) FROSTY RETURNS-The magic still in his old silk hat,
the holiday season's perennially popular original dancing snowman continues his adventures and skates on the edge of danger. Jonathan Winters is the narrator with John Goodman as the voice of Frosty.

Saturday, Dec. 20 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) ELF-Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen
star in this comedy about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is sent to New York in search of his true identity (Theatrical).

Tuesday, Dec. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) THE 10TH ANNUAL A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
WITH FAITH HILL-Inspirational stories about adoption will be enhanced by performances by Hill, Melissa Etheridge, Gavin Rossdale, Jamie Foxx and others. Kristin Chenoweth, Patricia Heaton, Rene Russo, Martin Short and other celebrities will present stories about adoption.

Tuesday, Dec. 30 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) THE 31ST ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS-
Actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, director, actress, singer, writer, composer and producer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who will receive this year's honors. In this star-studded celebration, the 2008 Honorees will be saluted by great performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated with President and Mrs. Bush, the Honorees will accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and tributes. Caroline Kennedy returns as host.